A new substation intended to provide power to Somerset’s £4bn ‘gigafactory’ won’t be operational until the end of 2028 – one year after the first phase of the site is expected to be finished.

Agratas announced in late-February 2024 that it would be investing heavily in the Gravity enterprise zone, between Puriton and Woolavington, creating around 4,000 well-paid jobs and delivering one of the largest single employment sites in the whole of Somerset.

Revised plans for the first phase of the new complex (dubbed ‘Building One’) went on public display in early-April, including the design of the new ring road surrounding the site and the proposed location of a new M5 junction.

National Grid has now confirmed that it intends to begin work on a new substation within the site by September, but it won’t be up and running until the end of 2028.

Until this point, the first phase of the gigafactory will be relying on two “interim” connections to the power grid – with National Grid stressing there will be no impact on power to Bridgwater or the neighbouring villages.

The new substation will be constructed at the eastern edge of the Gravity site, south of Stoningpound Rhyne and a short distance from the built-up edge of Woolavington.

National Grid is currently working to connect the Gravity enterprise zone to the power network, with Woolavington Road being closed in several phases between the village and Enterprise Way from Monday (April 14) for up to five months.

To reduce long-term disruption, work to install telecommunication cables and gas mains into the site will be carried out at the same – akin to the joint roadworks being presently carried out in Chard by Wessex Water and Wales & West Utilities.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said: “The Agratas facility is a huge investment in Somerset and will be a massive long-term boost for the local area and county as a whole.

“Investment of this kind always brings some unavoidable disruption and we are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support and patience – the end goal will be worth it.”

If the revised ‘Building One’ proposals are approved by Somerset Council, the first phase of the new gigafactory will be operational by late-2027.

National Grid said there was sufficient capacity within the existing power grid to meet the demands of the new factory, with two interim power connections serving the site until the new substation was finished and operational.

A spokesman said: “To connect the Agratas battery manufacturing facility to the electricity transmission network, we are proposing to build a new substation at Woolavington.

“This will provide a reliable electricity supply to power the Agratas facility, which is expected to create thousands of new high-skilled green tech jobs and investment in the local area.

“While our proposals are subject to Somerset Council’s local development order compliance process, on current programme we anticipate that our main construction works will begin in early-September and be completed by the end of 2028.”